ATP Cologne II: Alexander Zverev after defeating Jannik Sinner again in the final
Alexander Zverev is also in the final of the second event in Cologne's Lanxess Arena. Germany's number one prevailed in a hard-fought semi-final against Jannik Sinner 7: 6 (3) and 6: 3.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 24, 2020, 08:59 pm
On the way to his second Cologne title within a few days, the supposedly toughest chunk for Alexander Zverev should wait in the semifinals in his previous appearances: Jannik Sinner. The Italian super talent, who won against Germany's number one just a few weeks ago, when Sinner knocked a visibly battered Zverev out of the tournament in the round of 16 of the French Open.
Even at the start of this rematch, it looked like history would repeat itself. As usual, Sinner got off to a powerful start and with a looseness that is definitely a rarity among 18-year-olds. The South Tyrolean quickly took a 4-1 lead, causing Zverev to despair in this initial phase. But then the thread broke completely with Sinner, who subsequently did not make a single service game - and only saved himself in the tiebreak due to the fact that the German tried twice in vain to reserve set one.
Another duel with Auger-Aliassime?
In this Zverev should then use his chances, after a rally worth seeing, the US Open finalist secured the short decision with 7: 3. The seventh in the world rankings was able to take this momentum with him into the second set, the German managed the break in Sinner's first service game - Zverev quickly pulled away 3-0. The 23-year-old was now the clear leading player on the field, kept Sinner busy and allowed almost nothing at all when he served. But only almost: Jannik Sinner still had two breakballs to get back into this match, but the Italian struck a promising backhand on the first, and Zverev fought off with a strong attack on the second. The German secured the contested seventh game a little later and finally served after just under two hours to 7: 6 (3) and 6: 3 success.
In the final, Zverev is waiting for the winner of the duel between Felix Auger-Aliassime, which the Hamburg native was able to defeat last week in the final of the first Cologne final, and the French Open semi-finalist Diego Schwartzman.